Tuesday, October 4, 2011

Caught on CCTV: The moment a callous vandal smashed a bottle on memorial to murder victim


This is the the moment a vandal smashed a bottle over a Stephen Lawrence memorial plaque while walking alongside a woman with a pushchair.
Police released the footage in a bid to trace the man and woman after the tribute to the murdered teenager was covered in shards of broken glass yesterday.
Images released by Scotland Yard show a man in white shorts, white trainers and a blue sleeveless shirt accompanied by a blonde woman pushing a stroller with a child in it.
Stephen Lawrence memorial: The vandal, in a blue top and white shorts, approaches the plaque carrying a bottle
The vandal, in a blue top and white shorts, approaches the plaque carrying a bottle
He is then filmed dropping the glass bottle on the plaque, as a woman with a pushchair walks beside him
He is then filmed dropping the glass bottle on the plaque, as a woman with a pushchair walks beside him
Stephen Lawrence memorial: The vandal then walks away, leaving smashed glass over the memorial
The vandal then walks away, leaving smashed glass over the memorial
Detective Sergeant James Bray said: 'Anyone with information concerning the incident or who recognises this man and woman are asked to come forward and assist us with their inquiries.'
'It is a senseless act of vandalism and the culprits deserve to see justice,' an unnamed source told the Daily Mirror. 
'This is being seriously investigated.'
It is the fourth time the plaque, which marks the spot where A-level student Stephen was stabbed to death in 1993, has been targeted.
Disrespect: A vandal has struck at the memorial to murdered teenager Stephen Lawrence
Disrespect: A vandal has struck at the memorial to murdered teenager Stephen Lawrence
In March 1993, vandals chipped and poured paint on the memorial in Eltham, south-east London, and the same happened a year later despite ramped-up surveillance.
In 2010, three men were seen dousing the plaque in flammable liquid.
The Stephen Lawrence Centre in nearby Deptford was attacked in 2008 by thugs who caused £120,000 worth of damage.

Three days ago, Gary Dobson, 35, and David Norris, 34, appeared at the Old Bailey via videolink from Belmarsh prison accused of Stephen's murder.
They were arrested last September and are due to be tried in November over the death.
Stephen's parents, Doreen and Neville Lawrence, who are now separated, sat at the side of the court for the 90-minute hearing, which dealt with procedural matters to do with the November 14 trial.
Witnesses are asked to call Plumstead CID on 020 8284 9554 or Crimestoppers anonymously on 0800 555 111.
Hate crime: It is the fourth time the plaque, shown here in a 2003 file photo, has been targeted by vandals
Hate crime: It is the fourth time the plaque, shown here in a 2003 file photo, has been targeted by vandals

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